Ibsen: Opening Scenes

Question 1

Briefly explain the opening scene of ADH

Answer 1

Nora remains in the house and interacts with Helmer, the Nurse, Mrs Linde and Krogstad for the first time, it is revealed that she has committed a crime of forgery to borrow money from Krogstad, without telling Helmer who is too proud to know such a truth.

Question 2

Briefly explain the opening scene of Hedda Gabler

Answer 2

Hedda remains in the house and meets Aunt juju, Tesman, Brack and Mrs Elvsted for the first time. It is revealed that she is in an unhappy marriage and her husband is beneath her - based off wealth and power in the relationship. She is equally oppressed by gender norms.

Question 3

Introduction

Answer 3

\+ titles and playwright 
\+ brief explanation of opening scenes in both books 
\+ introduce themes and motifs of scenes 
\+ introduce naturalism 
\+ explain impact of naturalist style

Question 5

Paragraphs

Answer 5

1 - setting
2 - character building incidents
3 - foreshadowing

Question 6

Paragraph 1 topic

Answer 6

Domestic setting of both plays conveys wealth. Both characters remain in the house the whole time. Nora is trapped living room, definitely her husband’s house. Hedda is increasingly dominant and moves around.

Question 7

Paragraph 1 quotes

Answer 7

+ “Backstage right a door leads to the hall; backstage, left, another door…In the middle of the left-hand wall there is a door…slightly updated is a door”
+ “trapped by architecture” + “literally confidence to the house”
+ “shut tiptoes across and listens at her husband’s door”

+ “Against the rear wall…hangs the portrait of a handsome old man in general’s uniform”
+ “Hedda…is to be regarded rather as her father’s daughter than her husband’s wife”

Question 8

Paragraph 2 topic

Answer 8

Complexity of all characters is introduced. Nora’s duality is shown and Helmer’s fragile masculinity. Hedda’s ability to manipulate and willingness to harm is evident.

Question 9

Paragraph 2 quotes

Answer 9

+ “Papa didn’t give us a penny. It was I who found the money.”
+ “Is that my skylark twittering out there?”

+ “We really can’t go on keeping this maid…she’s left her old hat lying in the chair.”
+ “Ah well. I still have one thing left to amuse myself with…(looks at him with concealed scorn) my pistoles, George darling.”

Question 10

Paragraph 3 topic

Answer 10

Cracks in Nora’s marriage are revealed, foreshadowing their eventual separation. The lack of love in Hedda’s is also apparent, showing that it would not take much for her to leave it all behind.

Question 11

Paragraph 3 quotes

Answer 11

+ “It’d be so painful and humiliating for him to know that he owed me anything…the life we’ve built together would no longer exist”
+ “You know I could never act against your wishes”

+ “You agreed that we should enter society and keep an open house. That was the bargain”
+ “You’re burning with love fro me Hedda”